Florida Tech and the International Space University – Center for Space Entrepreneurship (ISU-CSE) have partnered together to make a summer program for students to learn about the commercial space industry.
The Commercial Space Studies graduate certificate program will be led by Florida Tech’s Aldrin Space Institute (ASI) from June 3 through July 12, with classes located at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Shawn Shirshekar, project coordinator at the ASI, said that the institute is trying to encourage students toward space research and flight.
“We want to give students rigorous training and policy training so they become well-rounded to enter the space industry,” Shirshekbar said. “We’re trying to build a multi-disciplined field of graduates.”
Shirshekar described the course activities as an intensive program with lectures, outside traveling in the area and other classroom situations.
The program’s website at isucse.fit.edu lists a 12-credit course of four classes:
- BUS 5027: Global Commercial Space Program
- ENM 5201: Space Technology and Systems
- HUM 5131: Global Space Policy and Law
- BUS 5025: Technological Entrepreneurship in Space
“This is the first time the program is being offered here [at Florida Tech]”, said Natalie Buczek, an administrative assistant with the ASI. “So we are trying to get the word out to as many people as possible.”
Buczek said this program is directed more towards graduate students, although any student is “welcome to join as long as they put in the effort.”
She also described the program as a mix of space and business classes with entrepreneurship and flight management.
Buczek said that housing will not be offered, but options are being explored.
Shirshekar and Buczek confirmed that the director of the ASI, Andy Aldrin, will be teaching students at the program through lectures.
There is a $20 application fee and complete instructions are on the program’s website.
The cost of tuition for the program will be $14,000.
A $5,000 scholarship application is available with the requirement of sending a statement of qualifications to registration@aldrinspace.institute.
“We want to give everyone a chance to get into the space industry,” Shirshekbar said.
Only 50 students will be admitted into the program with applications due April 30.
Buczek said that about 20-30 spots are still available for applications.
